24 comments:

haha, when I lived in paris, I wore hats sometimes... purple, green, and black crochet hats from h&m... People didn't usually think I was french, but they didn't think I was american either. I got russian and swedish a lot, lol.

Hats off to hats! What a fun post! But don't be even slightly cold, O valiant emissary to the icy blue air of Paris. If you're going to defy the hatless standard, go all out. Just off the top of my head, I suggest a ginormous yakky "nomad lady warrior" hat from the Galliano Fall 2010 collection, or one of the colossal Mad Hatter stacked tophats from Walter Van Beirendonck. Aren't these absolute hoots? When it warms up, then you can change into the kelly green frisbee or the fruit tart.

I'm empathetic to the "no hats" thing! Yes, it has been *freezing* in Paris the past couple of days, and I am sick and tired of the cold!! But still no hat for me! Part of it is I have an odd head and a face that just does not look good in a hat, I don't think. Add to that fine hair that is susceptible to "hat hair" and it is not a good thing. Maybe I just have not found the right hat, though. I never have tried a beret. Perhaps I should. :)

Funny, though -- I was noticing the numbers of women *with* hats or scarves while I was waiting for a friend at the Métro stop near my yoga class in the 11th arr. last night! They looked warmer than me, lol.

I don't know when you put up your new profile pic, but it is so cute! I love it!

Carol, Last week my son & I went to the huge Picasso show in Philly.At the end was the usual over-priced "stuff" to buy, in the themed shop.I found myself eyeing a pile of berets thinking "well, after all, I am an artist...?" And just as quickly reminded myself of my HUGE head, that never wears a hat...unless its' a Cowboy hat.Which would definitely not be cool in Paris, I'm sure.Have fun.Bill

I hardly ever wear a hat, but I bundle up every other way. My hair flattens and gets so static that I can't stand it all day afterwords if I do wear one, but I seem to stay warm. Love your beret, Carol.

you're right, parisiens don't wear winter hats. but they do go for fashion numbers, including cocktail hats with veils. you'll see more of them in warm weather, and especially at the races. when i did hat shows in bars in paris they did buy. but they had to be chic. how many winter hats fall into that category?? french girls are never practical in their fashion choices!! love the blog. katy

Looking for hats is my cup of tea.I confirm that Parisien women never wear hats (even if my grand-mother had a bunch of colorful little bérets and fur caps...) I live in Montreal and even during winter when it's -20 outside, I go out with nothing on the top of my head. I wonder why... Maybe because I feel more comfortable! Ce qui est franchement paradoxal quand vos oreilles commencent à geler... Thanks a lot for your "enquête" and bravo for these paris breakfasts. I'm having some tea right now and it's delicious-delightful to read from you.Delphine

Carol, Your painting arrived! Loved that you put me in high boots! Am enjoying your painting of me--and the colors of Laduree--And Yes French woman don't wear hats to keep warm--only to be fabulous--I love the hat shop by the Odeon on way to Lux. gardens--as I was looking in their window wearing my red fur hat--they insisted I come inside and try on hats but the favorite place I buy inexpensive but fabulous hats--is on Thursday from a seller in the market at Place Maubert! Enjoy Paris and I will be enjoying your my portrait in front of Laduree. LuLu

Well, they're nuts then! There are great hats out there & we definitely wore them in "uncool" Strasbourg. (Lyonnaise amies have just confirmed that they wear hats. They think it's idiotic Parisiennes. Hey, I'm just reporting. I didn't say it.)

So good to know that my hatless head is tres chic! Perhaps it's the hard hat that put me off wearing hats., though I don't object to a good hood now and then .... but overall, I think the French are on to something with les discs instead of les chapeaux.

I consider myself quite the francophile and whilst googling macarons I came across your page. I am hooked. And have been completely disregarding work today just so I can have a look at almost every post you have made!Not only am I inlove with all things Parisienne but even more so with Sonia Rykiel!!! I live in Sydney and we are completely deprived of Rykiel with only one designer store stocking her shoes, bags and small accessories to which I naughtily but rarely purchase during sale time!!!...So to just look at the beautiful Rykiel goods on your site feels like another indulgence!

Keep up with the lovely blog I look forward to reading many more of your posts!

Hi Carol, this is the first time I write to you. First of all, I love your blog, your way to approach all the things Parisian that attract me enormously. I am a fan of your watercolors...and about the hat and beret-less Parisians, to me is kind of shocking. My dreamy Parisian girly girl has to have a beret. I am from Spain, living in San Diego, so no hats for me, just when I go there on Christmas time. Absolutely missing them.

PARIS in yr Mailbox!

♥carol gillott♥

l'Ile Saint Louis, Paris, Ile de France, France

Hi I'm Carol Gillott,
My Mom taught me watercolors at 5 and I'm still at it. Now I live by the Seine on l'Ile Saint-Louis. Do consider subscribing to my Paris letters and maps on Etsy and enjoy a taste of Paris in your mailbox every month to savor with a hot chocolate and croissant. I paint Paris dreams.